A dagga estimated to the value of R21 000 was confiscated by the police in Paballelo Township, near Upington on Tuesday. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Omphile Masegela said the police in the ZFM District are working hard to squeeze the space for drug dealers to operate.
“The police made multiple arrests during Vuthu Hawe operations this week for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs. On 11 July 2023, the police conducted a search and seizure operation in Paballelo, where dagga to the estimated value of R21 000 was seized and one person was arrested.
“During operations in Postmasburg on 12 July 2023, Upington Public Order Police (POP) arrested a man aged 42 in Newtown for possession of drugs. The police received a tip about drugs at a butchery and when they arrived, the suspect attempted to destroy them,” Masegela said.
He further said, the police allegedly searched and found the Tik to the value of R7500 in a basin. Masegela added that, in separate cases, three suspects were arrested in Keimoes for dealing in drugs.
“The police confiscated dagga and mandrax to the total value of R2800,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Peet Coetzee commended the efforts of the police and encouraged the community to continue to give information on drug dealings as a collaborative effort to remove drugs from the streets.
Setshwantsho: Motshameki wa maloba wa Setlhopha sa Mighty Boys FC, Bakang Katong/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Motshamekapele wa maloba o diphatsa wa setlhopha sa selegae sa Mighty Boys FC, Bakang Katong kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, o tla itse ka bokamoso jwa gagwe ka di 13 Phokwi 2023. Seno setla morago ga gore mosekisi mo kgetsing e Katong a lebaneng le yone ya petelelo, a kaele le kgotlha fa a tshwanetswe ke go neelwa dingwaga dile lesome kwa kgolegelong.
Go begwa fa Katong (32), yo jaanong eleng rakgwebo, ebile a latofadiwa ka go gweba ka diritibatsi, a ne a betelela lekgarebe lengwe la kwa Buxton ka ngwaga wa 2017. Go begwa fa Katong, yo oneng a tswa kwa Johannesburg ka nako eo, a ne a neelwa lekgarebe leo ke mongwe wa bakgweetsi ba ditekesi kwa Schweizer Reneke gore a mo gorotshe ka pabalasego kwa lapeng.
Fela, go kaiwa fa Katong a ne a tsena-tsena ka lekgarebe leno, mme a feleletsa a ipagololetse mogodu. Gape, lekgarebe le, lene la kaya fa le nyeleletswe ke madi a kanang ka R2000 mo tiragalong eo.
Kgotlha-tshekelo e utlwile fa lekgarebe le, lene la fitlha la lotlegela mmagwe ka se se mo diragaletseng. Kgetsi ene ya bulwa, mme ene ya re Katong go utlwa seno, one a letsetsa lekgarebe le, le go kopana le lone kwa Taung Mall mo letsatsing le le latelang.
Katong one a fitlha a mo kopa go mo neela madi a kanang ka R2000 a go begwang a nyeletse le go mo neela R500 eleng pipa-molomo gore a ye go tsholola kgetsi ya petelelo kgatlhanong le ene.
Fela lekgarebe le, le ne la gana go tsaya madi ao. Kgotlha-tshekelo e utlwile gape fa mmagwe lekgarebe leno, yo eneng ele paki ya mmuso, a ne a tlhokafala fa kgetsi e sentse e tsweletse ka tsheko. Mmueledi wa ga Katong, one a tlhalosetsa lekgotlha fa bopaki jwa motlhekefadiwa bo sa ikanyege, gonne gona le phapang mo tshedimosetsong e a e neetseng sepodisi le e a e boleletseng kgotlha-tshekelo.
Fela magistrata Buti Zulu, ga ka a ganana le kgang eo, mme a tlhalosa fa ese pateletso gore bopaki jo bo neetsweng sepodisi bo ka botsolotswa, fela se se botlhokwa ke se motlhekefadiwa a se boleletseng kgotlha-tshekelo. Gape, se se ileng sa makatsa lekgotlha ke gore, Katong o ile a kaela beng ba mokgatlho wa ditekesi fa a iphantse ka thobalano le motlhefediwa, mme fela o ile a kaya fa seo se diragetse ka tumalano.
Fela Katong, one a kaela mmueledi wa gagwe fa a sa iphanya ka thobalano le motlhekefadiwa. Seo, sene sa baya Katong mo mosing, mme le kgotlha la mo bona jaaka motho o o sa ikanyegeng. Zulu one a tlhalosetsa Katong fa go sena sepe se se supang fa motlhekefadiwa a ka batla go mo bopela kgomo ya mmopa, gonne ba sa itsane.
Zulu, one a bona Katong molato mo kgetsing ya petelelo.
Kgabagare, lekgotlha lene la kaela Katong fa e se sa ntlha a thulana le molao, gonne ka ngwaga wa 2006 one a tshwarwa mme a bonwa molato mo kgetsing ya go itaya ka maikaelelo a go ntsha dikgobalo tse di masisi. Gape, go begwa fa ka 2013 le 2015, Katong a ne a tshwarelwa go gweba ka diritibatsi, mme a duela kotlhao mo dikgetsing dile pedi.
Katong gape o lebane le kgetsi ya polao e e diragetseng kwa motseng wa Manthe.
Picture: Syn Mege found on a farm in Ottoshoop/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man who seems to be mentally unstable was found lying next to the gates of one of the farms in Ottoshoop. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police in Ottoshoop request the community’s assistance in locating the family of Syn Mege (50).
“Mege seems to be mentally unstable and he said he is from Cape Town. He was found on Wednesday morning, 12 July 2023, lying next to the gate of one of the farms in Ottoshoop.
“Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of his family is requested to contact Captain Maduo Mogoerane on 082 375 5032,” Myburgh said
Picture: The initiates who were allegedly kidnapped in Mahikeng/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A kidnapping case against two men was postponed by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng to 12 September 2023. Piet Tlotleng and Keotshepile Ntate were granted R1500 bail each. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said Ntate and Tlotleng were charged for Contravening the Customs Initiation Act, No. 2 of 2021. Mamothame further said, the police reports revealed that, the accused were arrested on 29 June 2023, after parents reported missing children at Mahikeng Police Station.
“The investigations led the police to an illegal initiation school between Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages, outside Mahikeng. The preliminary investigations suggest that, the Tlotleng and Ntate mobilised unsuspecting young boys from villages around Mahikeng, to join the initiation school.
“Moreover, after recruiting these young boys, they would allegedly call the parents and demand money for the safety of the victims. Consequently, about 41 initiates between the ages of 15 and 20 were rescued. The illegal school was closed while the boys were taken to a local hospital for medical care,” he said.
Tlotleng is also linked to a kidnapping case in a separate case involving Bongani Moatlhodi (24). Moatlhodi briefly appeared at the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court on 10 July 2023 for allegedly kidnapping of boy (16), who was taken to an illegal initiation school at Lonely Park, near Mahikeng.
The case was postponed to 17 July 2023 for formal bail application. Tlotleng was officially charged with kidnapping before paying his R1500 bail at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court, effectively keeping him in custody. He will appear again at Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023 along with his co-accused, Moatlhodi for a formal bail application.
The community members across North West, especially in deep rural areas, continue to face variety of access barriers to healthcare services, which is critical to their good health. The North West Department of Health has received 55 graduates from the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Training Programme, which produced over 3000 medical doctors, who graduated from various Cuban universities and were largely employed in underserved communities.
The North West Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “We have received 55 graduates as the province. So, 26 students are doing internship in various healthcare facilities in other provinces, while 28 students are placed in the province. One student is still waiting for internship placement.
“The shortage of doctors is a reality for the whole country, especially in rural provinces. That is why in our province, one of the selection criteria is learning from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, who will be willing to go back and work in their communities.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said South Africa is amongst over 100 nations, which benefitted from social solidarity, excellent internationalism and medical cooperation with Cuba through medical doctors and specialists, which immensely contributed to the country`s health system strengthening and pandemic response.
Dhlomo further said, the country has also benefited from this impactful support since 1997 through both medical specialists, who have been seconded to the country and Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Training Programme.
“South Africa was one of the lucky nations to benefit through this global health cooperation, which complemented the country`s medical schools to produce the much needed medical specialists in quest of the government to address a shortage of doctors, especially the historically underserved areas.
“South Africa would not have benefited from this fruitful cooperation if it was not through the efforts by the globally admired revolutionary freedom fighters of the two countries, Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro, who believed that health is the biggest wealth anybody can have,” he said.
He added that having an educated and trained workforce is not sufficient, but physical and mental well-being are necessary for productivity. Dhlomo said most affected units are specialised medical units with skilled health professionals like general medical practitioners, registered nurses, hospital, and pharmacists mostly in short supply in the country and provinces.
The Chivas Crew Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), which consists of a group of youth from Chiefscourt village, near Taung, set to visit the Taung District Hospital on 18 July 2023 to celebrate 67 minutes of International Mandela Day. Chivas Crew coordinator, Bontle Keokame said, they will provide soup to more than 60 patients on that day.
“We will be providing soup cups to outpatients. As the organisation, we have noticed that patients come very early in the morning. Most of them come from far away and might have not eaten anything when they arrive.
“So, we see it fit to atleast put something together to help them to keep warm. The main objective of this initiative is to assist and give back to our community during times of need. The group was established in September 2020 and we have 30 good-standing members,” Keokame said.
She further said they are looking forward to seeing more young people with the same vision joining them.
Meanwhile, the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil two statues of Madiba in Mthatha, Eastern Cape on 18 July 2023, as part of the International Nelson Mandela Month celebrations. The programme spearheaded by the Nelson Mandela Museum is in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture; OR Tambo District Municipality and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality.
According to the statement, the statues will be unveiled at the Nelson Mandela Museum, Bhunga Building in Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.
Ramphosa spokesperson, Mr Vincent Magwenya said, the two statues of Nelson Mandela will resemble Nelson Mandela as a Statesman and the other as a traditionalist. Magwenya further said, on the same day, the museum and department will hand over a library at Zingisa Comprehensive High School as part of “Making a Difference” in the community.
“This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day will be commemorated under the theme: “It is in Your Hands”. The planned International Mandela Day activities will kick start with an International Mandela Day public lecture at the Nelson Mandela Museum Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu on 17 July 2023, where Minister Zizi Kodwa will be in attendance.
“The government has called on citizens to contribute to turning the tide against food insecurity and climate change in honour of Madiba’s legacy. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in a statement on Tuesday, described former President Nelson Mandela as a leader who abhorred injustice. He is known mainly for the personal sacrifices that he and fellow freedom fighters made towards achieving democracy in South Africa,” he said.
Magwenya added: “Even outside of prison, Mandela continued the fight against injustice, especially poverty, through various means, including mobilising local and international friends to support fundraising efforts for food insecurity and education, among others.
“Mandela viewed anti-poverty efforts as the protection of human rights. He once said, ‘Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life’. As such, South Africans will do well to honour him by emulating these ideals not only during Mandela Month but make them part of their daily lives.”
He said during this month, the government will host several events led by Ministers, Premiers, Deputy Ministers, Directors-General and public servants in all provinces. Magwenya said these events include the planting of trees and the donation of blankets, clothes and food.
The programmes will also support communities by starting food gardens.
Picture: The ANC deputy chairperson, Lazarus Mokgosi sworn-in as new North West MEC for Social Development/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said the newly-appointed North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi will have to prove his worth. Mokgosi was appointed as North West MEC for Social Development after the North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi, fired Boitumelo Moiloa from the position yesterday.
The DA deputy provincial chairperson, Freddy Sonakile said, Mokgosi has been a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) for barely a year and would need to prove his worth as he takes over a department that has in recent months been fighting internal conflicts at the expense of residents, who desperately depend on the department’s social services to keep absolute poverty at bay.
“At a time where North West’s unemployment rate continues to surge and residents increasingly rely on the government’s R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, this department continues to be used as a political yoyo by ANC politicians.
“The DA approached the Public Protector to investigate and determine the legality of Premier Bushy Maape’s decision to place former MEC, Boitumelo Moiloa on special leave two months ago and indirectly placing the Department of Social Development under an unexplainable provincial administration,”he said.
Sonakile further said, unfortunately, for Mokgosi, there is no time for celebratory parties. He added that Mokgosi boarded a “Titanic” that was already facing waves.
“We will closely monitor how he deals with the mess and the mafias in the department and use every mechanism at our disposal to ensure that residents receive the social services they desperately need,” said Sonakile.
Meanwhile, the ANC Chief Whip in the NWPL, Paul Sebegoe said: “We wish Mokgosi well in the new area of responsibility. We are confident that he will stabilise the department and ensure that it focuses on its mandate to accelerate service delivery for the benefit of the most vulnerable within our communities.
“Mokgosi has played a pivotal role in fostering the unity of the ANC caucus in the provincial legislature and ensuring implementation of the resolutions of the ANC Caucus Lekgotla.”
Sebegoe said Mokgosi’s hands-on approach and commitment to serve gives them confidence that he will deal decisively with the challenges facing the department and steer it towards reclaiming its service delivery track record that will respond to the plight and aspirations of our communities.
He emphasised that Mokgosi brings to the department invaluable experience, skill and expertise that he has gained throughout over 35 years in the public service, leadership in the trade union as well as the ANC.
Sebegoe also expressed gratitude to Moiloa for the service she has rendered communities across the province during her tenure.
Meanwhile, the F4SD president, Dr Mbahare Kekana said they welcome the appointment of Mokgosi.
“Remember, that role has been vacant and is very central to the needs of our masses. However, we question the dual positions that are being held by Maloyi. We believe that he was supposed to appoint Mokgosi as the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) because that’s where the problems are.
“As we speak, that portfolio remains severely neglected because most municipalities continue to receive disclaimers and other challenges. So, we expected Maloyi to fire himself as MEC for COGHSTA and appoint somebody capable, who could take the department forward,” Kekana said.
The Guardian 